Material breaking method and apparatus



J1me 1937- c. F. ossdon MATERIAL BREAKING METHOD AND APPARATUS FiledApril 27. 1935 112mm? kslflygood Aw; .4 Wm

I I A I Q? 4% & w a Ni Q mwxm Patented June 15, 1937- PATENT OFFICEMATERIAL nan'axmc METHOD AND APPARATUS Charles F. Osgood, Glaremont, N.11., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Safety Mining Company, Chicago, Ill., acorporation oi. Illinois Application April 27, 1935, Serial No. 18,578

25 Claims. (01. 102-6) This invention relates to materialrbreakingmethods and apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in amaterial-breaking shell of the type wherein a highly compressed gas isemplayed as a blasting medium and to a method oi air thereof.

From one aspect, my invention comprises an improved material breakingapparatus having provision for the storage of a relatively largequantity of highly compressed gaseous fluid, and upon the attainment ofa predetermined pressure in the storage spaceproviding for the passageof fluid at the high pressure into a space wherein it acts upon an areaof such size that pressu res l5 theretofore acting to maintaina'charge-release valve closed are overcome, and the charge release valveautomatically moved to open position. To preclude a repetition of thecycle described, further flow of fluid to the apparatus may 20 beinterrupted by the attendant, or obviously, the

apparatus may take such a form that by the movement of the valve tocharge releasing position, communication between the source of highpressure and the working spaces of the shell may 25 be interrupted.Again, automatic means for stopping the com ressor and connecting thedischarge line thereof to the atmosphere maybe used and made responsiveto the charging line pressure, which will build up when flow to the car-30 tridge is'interrupted as hereinafter described.

From another aspect, the invention comprises an improved method offracturing material including the steps of building up a charge ofhighly compressed gas in an appropriately positioned re- 35 ceptacleandin response to pressure conditions in the charge receiving receptacleautomatically effecting a release of the stored-charge to a desiredpoint of use and substantially simultaneous cutting off of supply,without operator intervention.

40 Other aspects of, the invention will hereinafter appear from thespecification, and as pointed out in the claims.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved material-breakingapparatus. Another object is to provide an improved material-breakingshell of the high pressure gas type having embodied therein improvedrelease means for the charge of material-breaking pressure. A further 59object is to provide an improved material-breaking shell having improveddifferential valve means for releasing the charge of material-breakingpressure when a predetermined pressure is attained within theshell, therelease means acting automatically upon attainment of such predeterminedpressure to eflect automatically such release. Yet another object is toprovide in a.- gas shell of the above character improved means forautomatically cutting oiT the flow of gas to the pressure chamber whenrelease of the mate- 5 rial-breaking charge from the shell is effected.Still another object is to provide an improved material-breaking method.These and other objects will, however, subsequently more fully app 10 Inthe accompanying drawing there are shown for purposes of illustrationtwo forms which th invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing,

Fig. 1 is a view in longitudinal section of one illustrative embodimentof the improved material-breaking apparatus,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view taken in the plane of Fig. 1, showing amodified form of construction.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing there is shown a material-breaking shell of thetype wherein a highpressure gas, such as highly compressed air, isemployed as a material-breaking medium, comprising a tubular casing Ihaving a chamber 2 for receiving a charge of high pressure gas.Threadedly secured at 3 within the inner end of the casing is adischarge cap 4 having an axial discharge orifice 5 communicable withthe pressure chamber 2 and connected by a series of radial dischargeports 6 with the shell exterior. Secured between the disharge cap and aninternal annular flange 1 formed on the shell is a washer 8 providing avalve seat for a control valve 9. Formed integral with the valve 9 andguided at ID in an axial bore formed in the discharge cap is a valveguide stem II for centering the valve with respect to its seat.Threadedly secured at l2 to the outer end of the casing I, is a terminalcap l3, while formed in the outer portion of the casing in alinementwith the pressure chamber 2 is a control chamber H, the chambers 2 andIt being separated by a transverse partition IS on the casing.Reciprocable in the control chamber I4 is a piston l6 can'ying suitablecap packings and having a piston rod II extending inwardly through anopening 18 in the partition l5, and secured at its inner extremity tothe control valve 8. Formed integral with the piston I6 is a rearwardextension 49 of larger cross, setional area 50 than the valve head 9,guided in a bore 20 formed in the terminal cap l3. Carried by thepartition l5 are suitable packings 2| for preventing leakage of highpressure gas along the valve rod l1 between the chambers 2 and I4. whilea suitable packing 22 is provided within the terminal cap l3 for sealingthe exterior periphery of the guide projection i9 to prevent leakage ofhigh pressure gas from the portion of the control chamber M outside thepiston l6 past the guide extension. The bore 20 at the outer side of theguide projection I9 is vented to atmosphere through a vent passage 23while 'connected at 24 to the terminal cap I3 is a supply pipeconnection 25 leading to a suitable source of high pressure gas supply,the pipe 25 communicating through a stationary connection 25 andconnection 26 in the piston portion l9 with the control chamber M at theouter side of the piston [6. A suitable packing 26' in piston portion l9prevents leakage outwardly along the stationary connection 25'.Communicating with the control chamber Id at the outer side of thepiston l6 and formed in the latter is "a passage 21 connected by anaxial passage 28 formed in the valve rod with a radial passage 29communicating with the pressure chamber 2. One or' more passages 30,formed in the partition l5, and each controlled by a spring pressedcheck valve 3|, are provided to connect, when desired, chamber 2 withthe control chamber Id at the inner side of the piston It. The spring 32of each check valve 3| is provided with a suitable adjustable follower33 accessible from the shell exterior for varying the tension of thespring.

In the modified form of construction shown in Fig. 2 the shell structureis substantially as that shown in Fig. 1, except in this instance thespring pressed check valves in the casing partition are omitted. Thepartition 35 which divides the pressure chamber 2 from the controlchamber I4 is in this instance provided with a series of longitudinalpassages 36 controlled by a disc valve 31 surrounding the valve controlrod l1 and seating against the plane face 33 of the partition.Interposed between the piston l6 and this valve, and likewisesurrounding the valve control rod I1, is a coiled spring 39. Otherwisethis form of the improved material-breaking shell is generally similarto that above described.

The method of use of the improved materialbreaking shell will be clearlyapparent from the description given. In Fig. 1 the piston and valveassembly is shown in its innermost closed position with the controlvalve 9 seating on the washer 3 to close communication of the dischargepassage with the pressure chamber 2. Let it be assumed that the shell isproperly positioned in the material to be broken down and high pressuregas is flowing through pipe connection 25 and passage 26 to the controlchamber H, the gas acting on the outer pressure area of the controlpiston IE to 'hold the valve 9 tightlyagainst its seat. At this sametime pressure fluid flows through passages 21, 28, 23 to the mainpressure chamber'2; and its action on valve 3 aids in maintaining thelatter closed. When a pressure of the desired value is attained withinthe pressure chamber 2 (the critical pressure depends upon the tensionof the check valve spring or spring 32) the check valves 3|automatically open to admit pressure fluid from the pressure chamber 2through the passages 30 to the control chamber M at the inner side ofthe control piston l6. As the pressure area on the inner side of thecontrolpiston l6 is materially greater than the sum of the pressureareas on the outer side thereof and on the'valve 9, the

pressure acting on the inner side or the piston eflects movement of thepiston l6 to the left as viewed in Fig. 1, thereby moving the pressurerelease'valve 9 into its open position, and as a result the charge ofmaterial-breaking pressure is released from the chamber 2 throughdischarge orifice 5 and discharge ports 6 into the material to be brokendown. As the control piston l6 moves rearwardly the radial passage 21moves within the bore 20, thereby cutting off the supply of highpressure gas from the control chamber M at the outer side of the pistonHi to the pressure chamber 2. Recycling will be prevented in anysuitable way, as by stopping the compressor, automatically or by theoperator; and if the passage 29', which is desirably provided to permitmore rapid reuse, be omitted, no recycling would be possible until thepressure in the space at the right of piston I6 is reduced, as could bedone by a suitable bleed valve, or as would take place in time due toleakage.

' 'The mode of operation of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2 issimilar to that above described. In this instance, however, when apredetermined pressure is attained within the pressure chamber 2 thedisc valve 31 automatically opens against the tension of the coiledspring 39, thereby admitting high pressure gas from the chamber 2through the passages 36 to the chamber I4 at the inner side of thecontrol piston iii. In this construction as the control piston l6 movesoutwardly to eifect opening of the valve 3, the tension of the spring 39is suddenly decreased, thereby permitting wide-opening of the disc valve31. -0therwise, this form of the invention operates in a mannergenerally similar to that above described.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improvedmaterial-breaking shell is provided having improved control means forthe pressure release means, whereby when a predetermined pressure isattained within the shell chamber the release means is automaticallymoved into its open position thereby to release suddenly the charge ofmaterial-breaking pressure from the shell chamber. It will further benoted that by the provision of the improved control means release of thematerialbreaking pressure from the shell is not only automaticallyefiected upon the attainment of a predetermined pressure, but the supplyof high pressure gas flowing to the shell chamber is also automaticallyshut oil. It is accordingly evident that charging of the shell chamber,pressure release, and the cutting ofi of the pressure flow occur in acontinuous sequence from the introduction oi high pressure gasto thesupply connection 25 through the release of material-breaking chargewithout any manual intervention. It will further be evident that by theprovision of the adjusting means for the check valves it is possible tovary the maximum pressure within the pressure chamber as desired. Theseand other uses and advantages of the improved material-breaking shellwill be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

(While I have in this application specifically described two forms whichmy invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that theseforms of the same are shown for purposes of illustration, and that theinvention may be modified and embodied in various other forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A material-breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge thepressure of which is to ing the valve and means automatically operativeupon the attainment of a predetermined pressure within the shell chamberfor causing said 'ilrst mentioned means to operate to open the valve.

2. A material-breaking shell havinga chamber for receiving a charge atmaterial-breaking pressure, a valve controlling the discharge ofpressure from said shell chamber, means for supplying for receiving acharge at material-breaking pres-' pressure to said chamber, meansautomatically operative upon the attainment of a predetermined pressurewithin the shell'chamber for effecting I automatic opening of saidvalve, and means auto-.

matically operative when said valve is in open positioni'or cutting oil?the supply of pressure to said shell chamber.

3. A material-breaking shell having a chamber for receiving acharge thepressure of which is to be built up to a desired material-breakingpressure, a valve for controlling the discharge of pressure, from saidchambena piston for controlling said valve, and means automaticallyoperative upon the attainment of a predetermined pressure within saidshell chamber for admitting pressure from said pressure chamber to acton a pressure area of said piston to effect opening of said valve.

4. A material-breaking shell having a chamber sure, a valve forcontrolling the discharge of pressure from said chamber, a piston forcontrolling said valve, means for supplying pressure to'said pressurechamber, means automaticallyoperative when a predetermined pressure isattained within said chamber for supplying pressure "fluid from saidpressure chamber to act on a pressure area of said piston to effectopening of said valve, and means automatically operative .when saidvalve is moved by said piston into its wide open position for cuttingoil? the supply of pressure to said pressure chamber.

5. Amaterial-breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge thepressure of which is to be built up to a desired material-breakingpressure and a control chamber, a valve for controlling the release ofpressure from said pressure chamber, a piston reciprocable in saidcontrol chamber and having a piston rod connected to said valve, andmeans automatically operative upon the attainment of a predeterminedpressure within said pressure chamber for admitting pressure from saidpressure chamber to said control chamber to act on a pressure area ofsaid piston to eifect movement of said valve into its open position.

6. A material-breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge atmaterial-breaking pressure and a control chamber, a valve forcontrolling the release of pressure from said pressure chamber, a pistonreciprocable in said control chamber and having a piston rod connectedto said valve, means for supplying pressure to said pressure chamber,and means automatically op.- erative'upon the attainment of apredetermined pressure within said pressure chamber for admittingpressure from said pressure chamber to said control chamber to act on apressure area of said piston to effect movement of said valve into itsopen position, said automatic means being adjustable at will for varyingthe maximum pressure attainable within the pressure chamber.

7. A material-breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge atmaterial-breaking prespiston to said pressure chamber, and meansautomatically operative upon attainment of a predetermined pressure insaid pressure chamber for admitting pressure from said pressure chamberto said control chamber at the opposite side of said piston to efiectmovement of said valve to its open position. a

8. A material-breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge atmaterial-breaking pressure and a control chamber, a valve forcontrolling the discharge of pressure-from said pressure chamber, apiston reciprocable in said control chamber and having its piston rodconnected to saidvalve, means including a passage formed in said pistonand piston rod for supplying pressure from said control chamber at oneside of said piston to said pressure chamber, means automaticallyoperative upon attainment of a predetermined pressure in said chamberfor admitting pressure from said pressure chamber to sure and a controlchamber, a valve for controlling the release of pressure from saidchamber, a cap forming a closure for one end of said control chamber andhaving an axial bore, a piston reciprocable in said control chamber andhaving a rearward extension guided in said cap bore, a partitionseparating said control chamber from said. pressure chamber, a pistonrod secured to said piston and extending through a packed opening insaid partition into connection with said valve, means for supplyingpressure to said control chamber at the outer side of said piston, apassage formed in said piston and piston rod for supplying pressurefluid from said control chamber at the outer side of said piston to saidpressure chamber, and valve means adapted to open automatically upon theattainment at a predetermined pressure within said pressure chamber foradmitting pressure from said pressure chamber to said control chamber atthe inner side of said piston to eifect movement of said valve into itsopen position.

10. A material-breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge atmaterial-breaking pressure and a control chamber, a valve forcontrolling the release of pressure from said chamber, a cap forming aclosure for one end of said control chamber and having an axial bore, apiston reciprocable in said control chamber and having a rearwardextension guided in said cap bore, a partition separating said controlchamber from said pressure chamber, a piston rod secured to said pistonand-extending through a packed opening in said partition into connectionwith said valve, means for supplying pressure to said control chamberatthe outer side of said piston, a passage formed in said piston andpiston rod for supplying pressure fluid from said control chamber at theouter side of said piston to said pressure chamber, and valve meansadapted to 76 in said piston and piston rod closing automatically to cutoif the supply of pressure fluid to said pressure chamber when saidvalve is moved into its open position.

11. A material-breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge atmaterial-breaking pressure and a control chamber, a valve forcontrolling the release of pressure from said chamber, a cap forming aclosure for one ,end bf said control chamber and having an axial bore, apiston reeiprocable in said control chamber and having a rearwardextension guided in said cap bore, a partition separating said controlchamber from said pressure chamber, a piston rod secured to said pistonand extending through a packed opening in said partition into connectionwith said valve, means for supplying pressure to said control chamber atthe outer side of said piston, a passage formed in said piston andpiston rod for supplying pressure fluid from said control chamber at theouter side of said piston to said pressure chamber, and valve meansadapted to open automatically upon the attainment of a predeterminedpressure within said. pressure chamber for admitting pressure from saidpressure chamber to said control chamber at the inner side of saidpiston to effect movement of said valve into its open position, saidvalve means being adjustable at will for varying the maximum pressureattainable within said pressure chamber.

12. A material-breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a chargethe pressure of which is to be built up to a desired material-breakingpressure, a valve for controlling the discharge of pressure from theshell chamber, means for opening said valve and charge actuated meansremote from said valve automatically operative upon the attainment of apredetermined pressure within the shell chamber for eifecting operationof said first mentioned means.

. 13. A method of blasting which comprises building up, from an externalsource, a charge of gas at a desired pressure capable of performing theintended work, in a container located in material to be broken,liberating the charge upon attainment of the desired pressure, andcausing liberation of the charge to concurrently effect disconnection ofthe interior of the container from the source while maintaining aphysical connection between the source and container.

14. A material breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge atmaterial breaking pressure, means for feeding means for releasing thecharge fromthe chamber when the desired pressure is reached in thechamber, and means operable as. a result of operation of the chargereleasing means for discontinuing feeding of the charge.

15. A material breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge atmaterial breaking pressure, means for feeding a charge to the chamber,means for releasing the charge from the chamber, means for operating thecharge releasing means when the desired pressure in the ,chamber isreached, and means for discontinuing feeding of the charge as a resultof actuation of the means for operating the charge releasing means.

16. A material breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge atmaterial breaking presa charge to the chamber,-

sure, means for feeding a charge to the chamber, means for releasing thecharge from the chamber when the desired pressure is reached in thechamber means for varying the pressure at which the same chargereleasing means will operate to effect charge release, and meansoperable as a result of operation of the charge releasing means fordiscontinuing the feeding of the charge.

1'7. A material breaking shell having a chamher for receiving a chargeat material breaking pressure, means for feeding a charge to thechamber, means for releasing the charge from the chamber, means foroperating the charge releasing means when the desired pressure in thechamber is reached, means for varying the pressure at which the samecharge releasing means will operate to efiect charge release, and meansfor discontinuing feeding of the charge as a result of actuation of themeans for operating the charge releasing means.

18. A material breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge atmaterial breaking pressure, means for feeding a charge to the chamber,means for releasing the charge from the chamber, means for operating thecharge releasing means when the desired pressure in the chamber isreached, means for rendering said operating means inoperative afterrelease of the charge, and means for discontinuing feeding of the chargeas a result of actuation of the means for operating the charge releasingmeans.

19. A material breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge.atmaterial breaking pressure, means for feeding a charge to the chamber,means for releasing the charge from the chamber, means for operating thecharge releasing means when the desired pressure in the chamber isreached, means for rendering said operating means inoperative afterrelease of the charge, means for varying the pressure at which thecharge is. released, and means for discontinuing feeding of the chargeas a result of actuation of the means for operating the charge releasingmeans.

20. A material breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge atmaterial breaking pressure, means for feeding a charge to the chamber,means for releasing the charge from the chamber, and means operated bythe pressure of the charge in the chamber for actuating the chargereleasing means and for discontinuing the feeding of the charge.

21. A material breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge atmaterial breaking pressure, means for feeding a charge to the chamber,means for releasing the charge from the chamber,

means for actuating the charge releasing means,

means for rendering said actuating means operative when the desiredpressure is reached in the chamber, and means for discontinuing thefeeding of the charge to the chamber when the charge is released.

22. A material breaking shell having a chamber for receiving a charge atmaterial breaking pressure, means for feeding a charge to the chamber,means for releasing the charge from the chamber, means for actuating thecharge releasing means, means for rendering said actuating meansoperative when the desired pressure is reached in the chamber, means forvarying the pressure at which the charge is released, and means fordiscontinuing the feeding of the charge to the chamber when the chargeis released.

23. In combination, a blasting cartridge having a chamber for receivinga blasting charge the pressure of which is to be built up to the desiredblasting pressure, release means for the blasting charge held closed bythe pressure of the charge, and means located outside said chamber andoperable upon the attainment of a predetermined pressure in said chamberfor opening said release means to discharge the charge.

24. In combination, a blasting cartridge having a chamber for receivinga blasting charge the pressure of which is to be built up to the desiredblasting pressure, release means for the blasting charge held closed bythe pressure of said charge, and means located outside said chamber andoperated by the pressure of the CHARLES F. OSGOOD.

